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Bulldogs' Thomas back on court

Bryan Thomas, here running track as a sophomore, is keeping busy, just as Florida coach Urban Meyer wants.

By IZZY GOULD
Published December 6, 2005

ZEPHYRHILLS - Few would guess Urban Meyer 's voice could help strengthen Zephyrhills' basketball team.

The Florida football coach was hired to return the Gators to prominence.

But Meyer holds a key vote in any decision Bryan Thomas makes after the Bulldogs senior orally committed to UF.

Meyer's first piece of advice - play basketball.

And why not? Basketball will keep Thomas busy and in shape.

Thomas initially told Bulldogs coach Gene Pieper he couldn't commit to basketball because he was submerged in football recruiting. He had booked various on-campus visits and thought his moving in and out of the lineup could disrupt team chemistry.

Thomas' commitment to Florida changed his perspective.

"I wasn't going to play basketball," said Thomas, who played the second half of basketball season as a junior after recovering from football injuries. "But the recruiting process is over, and Coach Meyer insisted on me playing."

Thomas approached Pieper and asked to return. But nothing was that simple.

The pair spoke for an hour. Thomas then addressed the locker room in a closed-door meeting.

"Everybody on the team understands Bryan gives us a better chance to be successful," Pieper said. "... I feel confident we're on the same page."

Thomas returned last week to play point guard. He scored 14 points Thursday in a 66-51 win against River Ridge, second to Bulldogs' leading scorer Brett Ross with 21.

"He definitely helps our team a lot," Ross said. "He's strong defensively and can take the ball quickly down the court."

Pieper excused Thomas from Friday's 51-45 loss to Hernando as a condition of his return. Thomas already had plans to attend the ACC Championship between Florida State and Virginia Tech.

But Pieper expects Thomas back for the remainder of the season, likely as a starter.

"I think it's going to work out," Pieper said. "If I didn't think it was going to work out I wouldn't have taken him back."

JACKSON RETURNS TONIGHT: Gulf coach Steve Feldman said he expects leading scorer Anthony Jackson to return for tonight's game against South Sumter after a two-game suspension.

Jackson was suspended from school for his part in a cafeteria scuffle.

"He should be back (tonight)," Feldman said. " ... He called me and told me he was quite contrite afterward and not happy. He realizes he let his teammates down, he let himself down, he let us all down. If he means those words and he's sincere, that's great."

Gulf went 1-1 during Jackson's absence, falling Thursday to Ridgewood (73-54) then winning Friday at Nature Coast (62-58).

"We actually had a nice come-from-behind win up there," Feldman said. " ... It's good for the other guys' confidence to know we can move soldier on and find a way to win on the road in a tough environment without our leading scorer."

--Contact Izzy Gould at sportsjournalist@gmail.com or 813 909-4612.

[Last modified December 6, 2005, 09:16:25]